Visiting restricted at Welsh hospitals
HOSPITAL visitors are being restricted from seeing their loved ones across sites in Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board due to a rise in Covid cases.
New rules have been unveiled by health bosses as a result of the surge in coronavirus cases.
The sites are now operating in line with the plans rolled out in March at the start of the pandemic.
Hospitals in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend are covered by the health board.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, in a statement, said: “Despite the increased measures and local lockdown in Rhondda Cynon Taf earlier this week, cases of coronavirus across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area are continuing to rise and are a real cause for concern.
“As a consequence of this situation across the county boroughs of Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf we are having to suspend
visiting as we did at the beginning of the pandemic in order to protect our patients, our staff, and our communities.
“All hospital visiting will be restricted from Saturday, September 19, across all Cwm Taf Morgannwg hospital sites and will come into effect at 9.00am.
“As a Health Board, we fully appreciate this is incredibly difficult, but please be assured these restrictions will be under constant review.”
But health chiefs did underline there were exemptions from the rule.
They include when a patient is having end-of-life care along with in paediatrics and neonatal areas, with one person only allowed in after being given the green light by the clinical team.
Arrangements in place for a pregnancy ultrasound scan remains unchanged, and one partner or birthing partner is able to go along with a woman in labour and in the post-natal period for a limited time – but no other visitors are allowed.
The health board said: “You must not visit if you are feeling unwell, especially if you have a high temperature or new persistent cough.
“We fully understand the importance of patients seeing their loved ones during their time in hospital, and as lockdown eased we were able to reintroduce some visiting with alterations such as staggered visiting times.
“Unfortunately, because of the increase in positive cases once again we have to take appropriate measures in the interests of everyone’s safety.
“To help maintain contact with loved ones during this time, we encourage families to use the free Wifi across our sites using online technology and our teams and dedicated staff will be available to support families with this.”
It added: “Our priority remains to keep all our patients, staff and our communities safe, although we appreciate the disappointment this may bring to families and we are continually grateful for your co-operation in this matter.
“It has never been more important for everyone living in these communities to follow the advice and guidance of the agencies responsible for managing this developing situation.
“Coronavirus is a very real and present threat to our health.”